Floribunda rose plant named ‘WEKebtigrad’

ABSTRACT

A new variety of  Floribunda  rose suitable for garden decoration, having flowers of plum purple coloration.

Classification: The present invention relates to a new Rosa hybridaplant.

Variety denomination: The new plant has the varietal denomination‘WEKebtigrad’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Floribunda Rose.It has as its seed parent the variety known as ‘WEKsmopur’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 18,850) and as its pollen parent the variety known as‘WEKmerewby’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,476).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the features which distinguish the new variety from otherpresently available and commercial rose cultivars known to the inventorare the following combinations of characteristics: its unique plumpurple flower coloration, its excellent color stability throughout thelife of the flowers and its numerous hairs on the rachis and petiole.The plant has an upright, compact moderately spreading growing habit,suitable for outdoor garden decoration.

Asexual reproduction of the new variety by budding as performed in KernCounty and Pomona, Calif., shows that the foregoing and otherdistinguishing characteristics come true to form and are established andtransmitted through succeeding asexual propagations. ‘WEKebtigrad’ maybe asexually propagated by cuttings, budding and grafting. The buddingand grafting successfully occurred on the plant/rootstock Rosa hybridacv. ‘Dr. Huey’ (not patented).

COMPARISON WITH PARENTS

The new rose may be distinguished from its seed parent, ‘WEKsmopur’ bythe following combination of characteristics: whereas ‘WEKebtigrad’bears medium sized flowers (about 7.5 to about 8.7 cm. in diameter) withvery double petalage (about 48 to 82 petals), ‘WEKsmopur’ bears largerflowers (about 8.0 to about 10.2 cm. in diameter) with significantlylesser petalage (about 25 to 48 petals). The new variety has an upright,compact moderately spreading medium height growing habit (about 90 toabout 140 cm. in height), whereas the seed parent has a rounded andcompact significantly shorter growing habit (about 66 to about 80 cm. inheight).

The new variety may be distinguished from its pollen parent,‘WEKmerewby’ by the following combination of characteristics: whereas‘WEKebtigrad’ bears very double flowers (about 48 to 82 petals) of plumpurple coloration, ‘WEKmerewby’ bears double flowers of saturate rosepink coloration with significantly lesser petalage (about 26 to 38petals). The new variety has an upright, compact moderately spreadingmedium height growing habit (about 90 to about 140 cm. in height),whereas the pollen parent has an upright significantly taller growinghabit (about 170 to about 190 cm. in height).

COMPARISON WITH THE CLOSEST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE CULTIVAR

The closest commercially available cultivar to the new variety is theseed parent ‘WEKsmopur’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATION

The accompanying photograph illustrates the new variety and shows theflowering thereof from bud to full bloom depicted in color as nearlycorrect as it is possible to make in a color illustration of thecharacter. The branches used for the photograph came from 3 to 4year-old rose plants of the new variety grown outdoors in Pomona, Calif.in the month of November. Throughout this specification, colorreferences and/or values are based upon The Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society (1966) except where common terms of colordefinition are employed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following description is of 3 to 4 year-old rose plants of the newvariety grown outdoors in Pomona, Calif. in the month of November.Phenotypic expression may vary with environmental, cultural and climaticconditions, as well as differences in conditions of light and soil.

FLOWER

The new variety usually bears its flowers singly, sometimes in clustersof two to six or more per stem. Flowers may be borne in regular roundedclusters on strong short to medium length stems (about 13 to about 80cm.). The cluster ranges from about 10.5 to about 13.5 cm. in diameter.Outdoors, the plant blooms abundantly and nearly continuously during thegrowing season. The flowers have a moderate fruity and spice fragrance.

BUD

The peduncle is about 3.0 to about 3.9 cm. in length, of average caliper(about 0.2 to about 0.3 cm. in diameter), and usually erect. It issomewhat rough, with some stipitate glands, and some hairs. Pedunclecolor is between 146C and 146A often moderately suffused, especially onthe side exposed to the sun, with between 187B and 187A.

Before the calyx breaks, the bud is about 1.2 to about 1.6 cm. indiameter at the widest point, about 1.3 to about 1.8 cm. in length, andovoid in shape. The surface of the bud bears between 5 to 9 foliaceousappendages with few stipitate glands and some hairs, usually withslender entire foliaceous parts extending beyond the tip of the budabout 1/4 or more of its length. Bud color is between 137C and 137B.

The sepals are 5 per flower, about 2.1 to about 3.4 cm. in length andabout 0.6 to about 0.8 cm. in width at the widest point. The outersurface color of the sepal is between 137C and 137B. The outer surfaceof the sepal is smooth and bears between 0 to 5 foliaceous appendageswith few stipitate glands and some hairs. The inner surface color of thesepal is near 146C broadly bordered by near 137C. After the sepals open,the inner surface color is sometimes lightly suffused, especially on thearea exposed to the sun, with between 187A and 187B. The inner surfaceof the sepal is covered with fine wooly tomentum; sepal margins areentire and lined with some stipitate glands and many hairs. The sepalsare moderately permanent, and usually straight in shape with acuteapices.

The receptacle of the flower is of medium length (about 0.4 to about 0.7cm.) and average in caliper (about 0.5 to about 0.7 cm. in diameter).The receptacle is urn-shaped in form. Its surface is smooth with somehairs and with moderately thick fleshy walls. The receptacle color isbetween 146B and 137C sometimes lightly suffused, especially on the sideexposed to the sun, with between 187B and 187C.

As the petals open (after the calyx breaks), the bud is about 1.6 toabout 2.2 cm. in diameter at the widest point, about 1.8 to about 2.5cm. in length, and moderately ovoid to somewhat globular in form. Thecolor of the under surfaces of the newly opened petals is between 187Aand 71A. At the point where the petal attaches, there is a small zone ofbetween 145D and 149D. The color of the upper surfaces of the newlyopened petals is between 60B and 61A at the lower third of the petal anddarker than between 187A and 71A on the remaining surface of the petal.At the point where the petal attaches, there is a moderately small zoneof between 2D and 150D.

BLOOM

When fully open, the bloom ranges from about 7.5 to about 8.7 cm. indiameter. Petalage is very double with about 48 to 82 petals and about 4to 8 petaloids irregularly arranged. When partially open, the bloom formis somewhat high centered to cupped, and the petals are moderatelytightly spiraled to cupped with petal edges somewhat reflexed outward.When fully open, the bloom form is more cupped, and the petals aresomewhat loosely cupped with petal edges somewhat reflexed outward.

PETALS

The substance of the petals is heavy and of medium to somewhat thickthickness, with upper surfaces moderately velvety and under surfacesslightly shiny. The petals are about 3.1 to about 4.8 cm. in length andabout 2.0 to about 5.1 cm. in width at the widest point. Petal marginsare entire.

The outer petals are moderately rounded to somewhat obovate in shapewith rounded apices.

The inner petals are oblanceolate to somewhat obovate in shape withrounded apices.

Petaloids are about 0.9 to about 3.1 cm. in length and about 0.5 toabout 2.2 cm. in width at the widest point. Petaloids are irregularlyshaped moderately oblanceolate to somewhat obovate to subulate withrounded apices.

NEWLY OPENED FLOWER

The under surface color of the outer, intermediate and inner petals isbetween 71A and 64A. At the point where the petal attaches, there is asmall zone of between 155A and 155B. The upper surface color of theouter, intermediate and inner petals is between 74A and 78A at the lowerthird of the petal and between 79B and 71A on the remaining surface ofthe petal. At the point where the petal attaches, there is a somewhatlarge zone of between 155A and 155B.

The under and upper surface colors of the petaloids are similar incoloration to the upper and under surfaces of the intermediate and innerpetals.

The general tonality of the newly opened flower is between 74A and 78Aat the lower third of the petal and between 79B and 71A on the remainingsurface of the petal.

THREE-DAY-OLD FLOWER

The under surface color of the outer, intermediate and inner petals isbetween 61A and 64A. At the point where the petal attaches, there is asmall zone of between 155A and 155B. The upper surface color of theouter, intermediate and inner petals is between 74A and 78A at the lowerthird of the petal and between 79B and 71A on the remaining surface ofthe petal. At the point where the petal attaches, there is a somewhatlarge zone of between 155A and 155B.

The under and upper surface colors of the petaloids are similar incoloration to the upper and under surfaces of the intermediate and innerpetals.

The general tonality of the three-day-old flower is between 74A and 78Aat the lower third of the petal and between 79B and 71A on the remainingsurface of the petal.

On the spent bloom, the petals usually drop off cleanly.

In November in Pomona, Calif., blooms on the bush growing outdoorsgenerally last about four to five days. Cut roses from plants grownoutdoors and kept at normal indoor living temperatures generally lastabout four to five days.

MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens are average in number (average about 50) and are arrangedregularly about the pistils; a few are mixed with petaloids. Thefilaments are of somewhat short to medium length (about 0.4 to about 0.9cm.) most with anthers. Filaments are between 1D and 154D in colorsometimes lightly suffused with between 53B and 53C. The anthers aresomewhat small for the class and all open approximately at the sametime. Anther color when immature is near 20A on the external part andnear 11D on the internal part. Anther color at maturity is near 164B onthe external part and near 200A on the internal part. Pollen is moderateand between 18B and 19C in color.

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Pistils vary in number (average about 40). The styles are moderatelyeven, average to somewhat long in length (about 0.6 to about 0.8 cm.),thin in caliper, and loosely bunched to somewhat separated. Stigma coloris near 16C. Style color is between 4D and 2D often moderately suffusedwith between 60A and 60B. Ovaries are usually all enclosed in the calyx.

The ovaries are of small size and between 158B and 158C in color.

Hips have not been observed on this variety when grown in Pomona, Calif.

FOLIAGE

The compound leaves are usually comprised of three to seven leaflets andare borne abundantly. The five-leaflet leaves are about 9.0 to about14.4 cm. in length and about 7.1 to about 11.1 cm. in width at thewidest point, moderately leathery to somewhat crisp in texture on bothsides, and glossy in finish on the upper side and matte in finish on theunder side. The leaves have a pinnate venation pattern. The terminalleaflets are about 3.8 to about 7.2 cm. in length and about 2.4 to about5.2 cm. in width at the widest point, shaped ovate to somewhat oval withacute to somewhat acuminate apices and rounded bases. Their margins areusually simply serrate.

The upper surface color of the mature leaf is between 137A and 139A. Theunder surface color of the mature leaf is between 147B and 146B. Theunder and upper colors of the leaf veins on the mature leaf are similarin coloration to the upper and under surfaces colors of the mature leaf.The upper surface color of the young leaf is between 137A and 137B,often heavily suffused with between 187B and 187A. The under surfacecolor of the young leaf is near 146B, often heavily suffused withbetween 187B and 187A. The under and upper colors of the leaf veins onthe young leaf are similar in coloration to the upper and under surfacescolors of the young leaf

The rachis is about 4.1 to about 7.2 cm. in length, about 0.1 to about0.2 cm in width at the widest point, and smooth. The upper side isdeeply grooved with numerous hairs and few stipitate glands on the edgesof the grooves. The under side of the rachis is smooth with numeroushairs and few stipitate glands. The rachis color is near 146C on theunder side and near 137B on the upper side, often moderately suffused onthe young leaves with between 187B and 187C.

The stipules are about 1.2 to about 2.0 cm. in length and of medium tosomewhat wide width (about 0.5 to about 0.8 cm.) with moderately longstraight points that usually turn out at an angle of more than 45degrees. The under and upper surface color of the stipule is between137A and 137B. The upper and under surfaces of the stipules are smoothin texture.

The petiole is somewhat light to average in caliper and smooth. Theupper side is deeply grooved with numerous hairs and few stipitateglands on the edges of the grooves. The under side of the petiole issmooth with numerous hairs and few stipitate glands. The petiole isabout 0.3 to about 1.3 cm. in length and about 0.1 to about 0.2 cm inwidth at the widest point. The petiole color is near 146C on the underside and near 137B on the upper side, often moderately suffused on theyoung leaves with between 187B and 187C.

The plant displays an above average degree of resistance to powderymildew (Sphaerotheca pannosa), downy mildew (Peronospora sparsa), andrust (Phragmidium sp.) as compared to other commercial varieties grownunder comparable conditions in Pomona, Calif. The plant's winterhardiness and drought/heat tolerance are yet to be determined.

GROWTH

The plant has an upright, compact moderately spreading medium heightgrowing habit (about 90 to about 140 cm. in height and about 85 to about115 cm. spread at the widest point), with moderately full branching. Itdisplays moderately vigorous growth and the canes are of medium tosomewhat heavy caliper for the class (about 1.2 to about 3.4 cm. indiameter at the widest point).

The color of the major stems is between 147B and 146B. The major stemsare rough in texture and they bear few large prickles that are about 0.8to about 1.1 cm. in length. The large prickles are moderately angled tosomewhat hooked downward with a medium length broad oval base; pricklecolor is between 166D and 165B sometimes moderately suffused withbetween 201C and 201D. The major stem bears very few small prickles ofsimilar shape and coloration.

The color of the branches is between 146A and 146B often moderatelysuffused with between 187B and 183A. The branches are rough in textureand they bear few large prickles which are of similar shape to the largeprickles on the major stems. The prickles are about 0.5 to about 0.7 cm.in length. Prickle color is between 165B and 164A. The branches bear fewsmall prickles of similar shape and coloration.

The color of the new shoots is between 146A and 146B often moderatelysuffused with between 187A and 187B. The new shoots are rough in textureand they bear few large prickles which are of similar size and shape tothe large prickles on the branches; prickle color is between 152C and152D often moderately suffused with between 187B and 187C. The shootsbear few small prickles of similar shape and coloration.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Floribunda rose plant of the varietysubstantially as described and illustrated herein.